James F. "Freddie" Austin, of Hermitage, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes Thursday evening, February 7, 2019, in the emergency room of Sharon Regional Medical Center. He was 73.

Mr. Austin was born January 1, 1946, in Sharon, a son of the late Charles and Ophelia (Moyer) Austin. He was a 1964 graduate of Sharpsville High School and honorably served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

Following his honorable discharge, Freddie worked for the former Sharon Transformer Div. of Westinghouse Electric Corp, and was then employed by Reznor, Inc., Mercer. He retired from Wheatland Tube, Wheatland, where he worked on the factory floor for several years.

Freddie was a member of Second Baptist Church, Sharpsville.

He served as a PIAA – District 10 high school football referee and a baseball umpire for several years.

He enjoyed watching televisions, particularly old westerns and the Andy Griffith Show. He also loved to golf, fish, and spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Freddie is survived by a daughter, Tia Austin, Sharon; two sons, Teryl (April) Austin, Arizona, and Thaddeus Austin, Sharpsville; a brother, Chester Austin, Farrell; a sister-in-law, Peggi Austin, Sharpsville; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Freddie was preceded in death by two sisters, Lois Brantley and Charlotte Boone; and seven brothers, Raymond, Stanley, John, Roland, George, Kenneth and Maceo Austin.

Memorial donations may be made directly to the family.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, in Second Baptist Church, N Walnut St, Sharpsville, PA 16150, with Rev. James McKeithan, officiating.

Full military honors will be conducted by the Wheatland A.L., Farrell V.F.W., and West Middlesex V.F.W. Honor Guard.